Removable Rubber Pole Sleeve

ABSTRACT

A removable rubber pole sleeve comprising of an elastomer tube and optional security strap that slides onto metal pole-based exercise apparatus for the benefit of increased grip and adhesion when using metal pole-based exercise apparatus for pole dancing, pole fitness, and all other pole-based exercise. Removable rubber pole sleeve is manufactured with inside diameters substantially similar to specific outside diameters of metal pole-based exercise apparatus and can be applied or removed from the metal pole-based exercise apparatus without any permanent change or damage to the pole and without interference with the other functions of the pole-based exercise apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/762,289, filed Feb. 7,2013.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the technical field of exercise equipment. More particularly, the present invention is in the field of pole fitness, pole dance or pole apparatus-based exercise and performance. U.S. Patent Classification: Class 482, Exercise Devices, subclass 23, Gymnastic.

The pole apparatus traditionally used for pole fitness, dance pole, and other pole apparatus-based exercise have a metal surface, which is hard-to-grip and hard on the body. The metal surface on traditional poles can make pole fitness and pole apparatus-based exercise difficult, dangerous, and frustrating for beginners who have not built up grip strength, for people who are sweaty, or for those learning advanced moves who lack confidence. Attempts to enhance a person's grip on the pole have been done through applying substances like sprays, ointments and lotions on your hands, body and the pole itself. Sprays, lotions and ointments are temporary solutions and make regular cleaning of the pole necessary. The grip aid substances tend to dry up, evaporate and dissolve making the surface more difficult to grip and in some cases leaving a residue, making the pole apparatus hazardous and more slippery. Another option employed is to apply a rubber or rubber-like substance permanently to the pole, but this is a costly solution that permanently eliminates the ability to revert back the original metal-surfaced pole apparatus. No previous patents or artwork of similar inventions are known of by inventor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this unique and novel invention is to provide a superior grip for metal pole-based exercise apparatus used by pole dancing, pole fitness, and all other exercise enthusiasts and performers, through a rubber sleeve made from natural rubber or other elastomer, that can be put on or removed from the metal pole apparatus and that does not interfere with the other functions of the pole apparatus, such as spinning or adjusting tension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is side view of rubber sleeve 10.

FIG. 2 is enlarged top view, cross section of rubber sleeve 10.

FIG. 3 is enlarged view of security strap 12 to show details of construction.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the rubber sleeve 10 and the security strap 12 in one embodiment of application the pole apparatus.

FIG. 5 is demonstration of an embodiment of rubber sleeve 10 application method with a 2-3″ lip where rubber sleeve material is folded to enable easier application to and removal from the pole apparatus possibly with a customer-provided source of blowing air (ie. reversed vacuum or leaf blower).

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10—rubber sleeve -   12—security strap -   14—webbing -   16—hook and loop fasteners -   18—metal ring

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a rubber or rubber-like hollow cylindrical tube that slides onto and fits perfectly on exercise pole apparatus with outside diameters of 30 mm-60 mm to provide a non-slip grip while engaging in pole-based activities. The rubber sleeve is made specifically for the outside diameter of the pole it is intended for. The sleeve is applied to the exercise pole apparatus by sliding it onto the pole apparatus using one's hands or by slightly inflating it through a customer-provided air supply (i.e. leaf blower, reversed vacuum) and sliding it onto the pole before pole is secured in it's upright position. The pole sleeve self-adheres to the pole apparatus and does not require any additional substances for adhesion. This self-adhesion prevents it from slipping on the pole apparatus during normal use. An optional security strap may be attached near the top of the rubber sleeve to further prevent the rubber sleeve from slipping. The rubber pole sleeve is removed by lightly using hands to release the self-adhesion and then sliding the sleeve off the pole or by slightly inflating it with a customer-provided air supply (i.e. leaf blower, reversed vacuum) and then sliding it off the pole.

The rubber pole sleeve provides a secure grip for pole apparatus users allowing for application when desired and removal when not desired without any permanent change to the pole apparatus or interfering with the functions of the pole-like spinning, set up and break down. It makes the pole surface more comfortable to work on with less stress on the body and a more secure grip. The present invention renders the use of sprays, lotions and ointments unnecessary. It provides a secure, consistent grip allowing for longer, more efficient workouts to the user.

Anyone involved in pole fitness, pole dance, or other pole-based exercise or performance will utilize the present invention. The removable rubber pole sleeves can be used in pole fitness studios, at home or in other pole-based exercise facilities as a training tool or by pole-based performers as a performance apparatus when applied to an exercise or dance pole.

The present invention provides a superior grip, even when hands become sweaty. They eliminate the need for gloves or other grip aid. They eliminate messy residue on hands and poles from sprays or other sticky substances used to improve grip.

The grip stays consistent regardless of the environment and atmospheric temperature.

It provides cushion to an otherwise hard and cold apparatus, therefore reducing bruising and similar injuries related to pole-based exercise.

On a traditional metal pole apparatus, one relies on bare skin to provide the necessary grip. The present invention allows for the use of clothing on the pole without loss of grip.

Parts include a rubber sleeve 10 and security strap 12 constructed with webbing 14, hook and loop fasteners 16, and a metal ring 18.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 is a side view of rubber sleeve 10. Rubber sleeve 10 can self-adhere to the pole through the gumminess or stickiness of the natural rubber or other elastomer that has a similar rubber-like quality. The rubber sleeve 10 is a hollow cylinder that is extruded to fit metal pole apparatus with diameters ranging from 30 mm to 60 mm. It can be made from natural rubber, thermoplastic resin (TPR), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), silicone rubber, or other rubber-like material with similar qualities. During the manufacturing process the rubber sleeve 10 is pole cured to fit the exact diameter of the intended pole apparatus and so it will maintain its cylindrical shape. The rubber sleeve 10 has a consistent wall thickness of ⅛″ to 5/16″ along its length. Rubber sleeve 10 can be made in any color. Hardness of the rubber sleeve is from 40 to 60 durometer. Pole apparatus vary in height and to accommodate this, rubber sleeve 10 is made in up to 20′ lengths. An enlarged, top view, cross section of rubber sleeve 10 is shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows security strap 12 construction using a 12″-24″ length of ¾″-1.5″ wide webbing 14 which has been securely sewn onto a metal ring 18 that is in the shape of a rounded rectangle. Two 1.5″-3″ lengths of hook and loop fasteners 16 are securely sewn onto the two opposite ends of the webbing 14 on the same side of the webbing 14, as shown in FIG. 3. Security strap 12, when secured annularly around the rubber sleeve 10 while it is applied to the pole apparatus, tightens the rubber sleeve 10 to the pole apparatus further enhancing the rubber sleeve's adhesion to the pole apparatus and preventing the rubber sleeve 10 from slipping down the pole apparatus. Another embodiment of security strap 12 would use a ratcheting buckle and a ladder strap. Security strap 12 is optional during normal use.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the application of the rubber sleeve 10 and the security strap 12 to the pole apparatus. Rubber sleeve 10 has been slipped onto the pole apparatus (shown in dotted lines) and security strap 12 has been applied near the top of rubber sleeve 10 to prevent slipping and wrinkling To attach the security strap 12 to the rubber sleeve 10, the security strap 12 is wrapped annularly around the rubber sleeve 10 with the side that the hook and loop fasteners 16 are sewn onto facing away from the rubber sleeve 10. The end of the webbing 14 is then threaded through the metal ring 18, pulled tight, folded back onto itself and secured by connecting the two strips of hook and loop fasteners 16 to each other.

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of rubber sleeve 10 application where the rubber sleeve 10 is left with a 2-3″ lip overhanging the end of the pole apparatus. The lip is folded at top or bottom end of rubber sleeve 10 to enable easier application to and removal from the pole apparatus when using a customer-supplied air source, such as a leaf blower or reversed vacuum, to slightly inflate the rubber sleeve 10 and release the rubber sleeve's self-adhesion to the pole.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a rubber sleeve that can be applied to pole apparatus to aid in grip during pole-based exercise and removed when not in use. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A sleeve (10) comprising: a hollow, cylindrical tube for covering a pole-based exercise apparatus for the purpose of aiding in a person's grip and adhesion to said pole-based exercise apparatus during exercise.
 2. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the material of said sleeve (10) is an elastomer.
 3. The sleeve of any one of the claims 1-2, wherein said elastomer material used to make said sleeve (10) is a natural rubber, thermoplastic resin (TPR), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), or silicone rubber.
 4. The sleeve of any one of claims 1-3, wherein said sleeve (10) has a durometer hardness of about 40-60.
 5. The sleeve of any one of claims 1-4, wherein said sleeve (10) has a consistent wall thickness of about ⅛″ to 5/16″ along its length.
 6. The sleeve of any one of claims 1-5, wherein said sleeve is (10) obtained by extruding and, if said elastomer material allows, pole curing up to a 20′ length of cylindrical elastomer tube.
 7. The sleeve of claim 1-6, wherein said sleeve (10) has an inside diameter substantially similar to the outside diameter of said pole-based exercise apparatus, which are to be enclosed by said sleeve.
 8. The sleeve of claim 1-7, wherein said sleeve (10) is manufactured to have an inside diameter substantially similar to specific outside diameters of said pole-based exercise apparatus varying from 30 mm to 60 mm.
 9. The sleeve of any one of claims 1-8 wherein said sleeve (10) is applied to said pole-based exercise apparatus by sliding said sleeve onto one end of said pole-based exercise apparatus' length, prior to said pole-based exercise apparatus' installation, until desired portion of said pole-based exercise apparatus is covered.
 10. The sleeve of any one of the claims 1-9 wherein said sleeve (10) is removed from said pole-based exercise apparatus by sliding said sleeve off of one end of said pole-based exercise apparatus until said sleeve is completely removed.
 11. The sleeve of any one of the claims 1-10 wherein the gummy or sticky quality of said elastomer material creates self-adhesion of said sleeve to said pole-based exercise apparatus so that additional compression or clamping is unnecessary.
 12. The sleeve of any one of claims 1-11, wherein said sleeve (10) can be made in any color.
 13. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is secured by an optional security strap (12) circumferentially around the top portion of said sleeve (10) to eliminate any possible sliding of said sleeve during high-impact use.
 14. The sleeve of claim 13, wherein said security strap (12) comprising of 12″-24″ length of ¾″-1.5″ wide webbing (14) which has been securely sewn onto a metal ring (18) and is secured by hook and loop fasteners (16). 